What to do about noisy neighbours
How to avoid conflict
Your own home should be an oasis of wellbeing and a place of refuge, somewhere you can relax after a stressful day at work and enjoy your downtime. If this peace is disturbed, it can quickly lead to resentment and discord. Are you being bothered by noise from your neighbours? We explain what to do in this situation.
Fundamentals
When multiple people have to coexist, consideration and tolerance are crucial to ensuring harmony. A certain amount of noise – like playing music at normal volume or the sound of domestic appliances – is absolutely fine outside of designated quiet times. Tenants are obliged to comply with the house rules and designated quiet times. Some of the most common reasons for complaints include noisy party guests, loud music, domestic work and DIY on Sundays, and audible arguments. We’ve put together some handy tips to help in these instances.
What to do
- Seek out dialogue:
Start by trying to talk to your neighbours, with an eye to maintaining good relations. A calm discussion can usually clear up the situation and prevent further conflict. - Get in touch with your property manager:
If bringing up the issue again doesn’t lead to the desired improvement, set out the specific disturbances in writing for your property manager. These descriptions will help the relevant person to appraise the situation and take the right steps.
How to avoid conflict
- Music volume: make sure music is kept at a low volume and that there is something between the floor and the speaker, as many people find bass sounds especially bothersome.
- Playing instruments: if you’re allowed to play musical instruments in your apartment under your tenancy agreement, make sure you use a mute – or ask for your neighbours’ consent ahead of time.
- Parties: if you’re planning a party, telling your neighbours about the event in advance will make them more accepting.
- Loud domestic appliances: if the volume of tumble driers, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers and washing machines exceeds the tolerance level, don’t use them in designated quiet times.
- Children: you can’t expect children to play in absolute silence. That said, you could ensure that your children let off steam at an outdoor playground, for instance, and play catch and football there – while also teaching them to be considerate within their home.
- Slamming doors: doors should be closed normally and not slammed shut. Soft-closing mechanisms, which slow the speed at which a door closes, can help prevent the sound of impact.
- Footsteps: people generally don’t realise they’re doing it – but it can still be disruptive. Many people walk on their heels, which can be heard by the tenants living underneath them. Slippers can help with this.
It’s also in our interests – and those of your property manager – to ensure the people within a property form a friendly, harmonious community. We want everyone to strictly comply with the house rules. If the rules have been breached, we are obliged to take the necessary steps. Contact our property management team at service@livit.ch for assistance – we’re happy to help.
By the way, you can find more questions and answers in our FAQs.